Move to launch huge tourism projects in 2015

It plans to propose four key projects costing up to Bt1.5 billion each. The projects include a movie world, boat trips between Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha-am, a mock ancient city showing the tradi-tional way of life and a giant theme park, said Boonserm Khunkaew, the acting director of the department’s general affairs division.
These projects will be proposed to the Cabinet when it meets next month, along with a plan to improve tourism sites nationwide.
If these proposals are approved, the department will initially hire a consultant to conduct a feasibility study, which should take a year to conclude. Under the concept, investors will be invited to bid for construction and management concessions, Boonserm said.
He said the theme park will be one of the highlights and could either be a gigantic amusement park or a night safari based in the North, adding that perhaps building it in Isaan might make the region more attractive. At present, he said, there are very few tourist attractions in the Northeast.
Meanwhile, the department has projected that it will need up to Bt1 billion to renovate or improve 29 tourism sites, including places in Samui, Phuket and Pattaya. In addition, it said, more than Bt541 million was needed to modernise some 59 attractions.